Transit Service Operator, Bus Maintenance, and Bus Fuel Provider

357 W. 18th Street Merced, CA 95340 www.yarts.com (209) 723-3111
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Project No. RFP20260630YARTS
Request for Proposals (RFP)
for
Transit Service Operator, Bus Maintenance, and Bus Fuel Provider
Notice is hereby given that Proposals will be received at the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation
System (YARTS), a California Joint Powers Authority, for performing all work necessary in accordance with
the Requirements specified herein. Please carefully read and follow the instructions provided. Proposers
are responsible for making certain that their proposal documentation is complete and is received by
YARTS on or before the closing deadline. Proposals received after the closing deadline will be rejected.
Proposals shall be clearly marked as follows: Transit Service Operator, Bus Maintenance, and Bus Fuel
Provider - Submission Deadline October 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and shall be mailed or delivered to:
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System C/O Merced County Association of Governments
Attn: Alexandra Arroyo, Procurement Specialist II
369 West 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Proposers are strongly encouraged to attend the August 5, 2026, site visit to Yosemite National Park to
observe in-park bus stops. Interested attendees/potential proposers must RSVP via email to
procurements@mcagov.org by 12:00 p.m. PDT on July 31, 2026. See Section 1.5 of this RFP.
A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on August 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PDT at 369 W. 18th Street,
Merced, CA 95340. Proposers interested in attending must RSVP via email to procurements@mcagov.org
by 12:00 p.m., PDT, July 31, 2026. Failure to attend may render a proposal non-responsive.
The YARTS Governing Board contracts with MCAG to serve as the administrative agency for the service
and has done so since 2000. As such, YARTS administrative support is provided through MCAG and unless
specified otherwise, MCAG policies are applicable to YARTS. More specifically, the Merced County
Association of Governments Purchasing Policy and the Procurement Manual for Federal Transit
Administration Funded Projects for the Merced County Association of Governments, Transit Joint Powers
Authority for Merced County, and Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System and all of their
provisions are incorporated by this reference. Proposers are hereby notified this project will be funded in
part by the Federal Transit Administration. Therefore, Proposers of this project are hereby bound by all
applicable federal laws, regulations, and certifications.
YARTS is not liable for any costs incurred by Proposers in responding to this RFP. Proposers are hereby
notified that Proposals become public record. Proposers are to clearly identify any information that is
confidential and/or proprietary and submit a redacted copy of their proposal with the confidential and/or
proprietary information. In the event of a Public Records Act or Freedom of Information Act request,
RFP20260630YARTS Page 1 of 53

YARTS will use the redacted copy submitted by the Proposer in response and the failure to provide a
redacted copy may result in the disclosure of a Proposer's entire response. YARTS is not responsible or
liable for the disclosure of any information that is not clearly labeled as confidential and/or proprietary
and provided in redacted form.
In compliance with Title 49 CFR Part 26, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) are encouraged to
submit proposals and will be afforded full opportunity to submit and participate in this solicitation, both
as primes and subcontractors. Note that the resulting contract from this solicitation has a DBE goal of 0%
and prospective proposers will not be required to submit good faith efforts.
Inquiries and communications from Proposers shall be submitted in writing to Alexandra Arroyo,
Procurement Specialist II, via email at procurements@mcagov.org. Except as set forth herein, there shall
be no other communication with any other YARTS or MCAG employees or consultants with respect to the
proposal documents or project.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page 1
Table of Contents 3
Proposer's Submittal Checklist 4
Definitions 5
Section I - General Information 6
Section II - Requirements 10
Section III - Submittals 11
Section IV- Basis of Award, Evaluation, Selection Process, and Protests 14
Certification 23
Nondebarment Certification 24
Lobbying Certification 26
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Bidders List Form 27
Reference List 29
Third Party Contract Clauses 30
Sample Agreement 45
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents for this project are available in the project Dropbox folder at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jcmqqdvmtgadxvbqh88k6/ALZiVvEbupzwqLkP0h7EzdU?rlkey=aaz2mp
qou2dcnpd7pmrntu004&st=n2ownym7&dl=0
The following supporting documents are available in the Dropbox folder:
* Exhibit A - Scope of Work - Operations and Maintenance
* Pricing/Cost Forms
* Bus Stop List and Locations (by Corridor)
* YARTS Vehicle Fleet
* Equal Employment Opportunity Program Checklist
* Drug and Alcohol Policy Requirements Checklist
* Federal Transit Administration Fiscal Year 2026 Certifications and Assurances
Proposers are responsible for reviewing all supporting documents in preparation of their Proposal.
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PROPOSER'S SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
This checklist is provided to assist Proposers with submitting a complete Proposal. Proposers are to
tab/note Proposal as noted below and include this checklist in their Response.
1. _____ Cover Letter
2. _____ Table of Contents
3. _____ Section One - Certification, Nondebarment Certification, Lobbying Certification, DBE
Program Bidders List Form, and Reference List
4. _____ Section Two - Organization, Capability, and Experience
5. _____ Section Three - Response to Requirements/Scope of Work
6. _____ Section Four - Pricing/Cost Forms
Non-submittal of any requested item may be considered non-responsive.
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DEFINITIONS
Agreement - The Agreement constitutes the entire contract between YARTS and the selected Proposer.
Term may be used interchangeably with Contract.
Authorized Representative - Person who has the legal authority to negotiate and enter into and sign
contracts on behalf of the organization.
Closing Deadline - The last day and time the Proposal must be received in the office at 369 West 18th
Street, Merced, CA 95340. Term may be used interchangeably with submission deadline.
Contract - The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between YARTS and the selected Proposer.
Term may be used interchangeably with Agreement.
Contractor - The Proposer awarded the Contract derived from this RFP.
Evaluation/Selection Committee - A committee established to review and evaluate proposals to
determine the Contract award. The committee may include representatives of YARTS and its member
jurisdictions.
MCAG - Merced County Association of Governments, a Joint Powers Authority, established under
California Government Code Section 6500 et seq.
Proposer/Respondent - A person, partnership, firm, company, or corporation submitting a proposal with
the intention of obtaining a YARTS contract.
Start of Service - After transition, the first day the new Contractor runs transit service on its own.
Subcontractor(s) - Any person, entity, or organization, to which Contractor, or YARTS, has delegated any
of its obligations hereunder.
TJPAMC - Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County, a Joint Powers Authority, established under
California Government Code Section 6500 et seq. and an affiliate agency of the Merced County
Association of Governments.
Transpo Center - TJPAMC leased operations hub located at 710 W. 16th Street, Merced, CA 95340.
YARTS - Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, a California Joint Powers Authority, established
under California Government Code Section 6500 et seq. and an affiliate agency of the Merced County
Association of Governments.
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SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 PURPOSE
YARTS is seeking proposals from a qualified contractor to provide supervision, technical, personnel and
operating services, transit vehicles, vehicle maintenance, and fuel, necessary for the daily operation of
YARTS. The primary goal of YARTS acquiring such services is to provide the region with the advantages of
quality transit services that offer an alternative to driving in the Yosemite region.
YARTS intends to use the results of this RFP to award one contract to the most responsive and responsible
Proposer as evaluated per Section IV of this RFP.
1.2 AGENCY INFORMATION
YARTS is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) formed by the Counties of Mariposa, Merced, and Mono for the
purpose of providing transit service in the greater Yosemite Region. Tuolumne County has recently joined
the JPA. YARTS is overseen by a Board of Commissioners which includes eight voting members and three
non-voting members. Voting members consist of two elected Supervisors from each of the four member-
counties, while non-voting members consist of one elected official from Madera County and two officials
from Fresno County. YARTS is governed by the YARTS Board of Directors (YARTS Board) and is
administered and managed, under contract, by the Merced County Association of Governments.
Since its founding in 2000, YARTS has grown to be a crucial element in Yosemite National Park's
transportation strategy and a key mobility and economic resource for the overall Yosemite Region. YARTS
operates with just under 20 vehicles in peak summer service. YARTS connects with regional transportation
services like airports, Amtrak, and Greyhound as well as local transit services like "The Bus" in Merced
County, Eastern Sierra Transit Agency, Fresno County Rural Transit Agency, and Fresno Area Express.
YARTS buses are equipped with on-board surveillance, manual fareboxes, automatic chains, and are ADA
Accessible.
YARTS transit service is provided along the Highway 140 corridor from Merced and Mariposa counties to
Yosemite Valley year-round; along the Highway 395 and 120 East corridors from Mammoth Lakes, June
Lake, Lee Vining, in Mono County, through Tioga Pass to Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley; on
Highway 120 N through Sonora and Groveland to Yosemite Valley and on Highway 41 from Fresno
through Coarsegold and Oakhurst to Yosemite Valley. Each route has unique geography that the selected
contractor shall be prepared to operate in; for example: mountainous terrain, inclement weather (at
times), varied and rapidly changing temperatures, natural disasters, etc.
YARTS operates 16,322 service hours annually, with 12,673 of those hours coming from the Highway 140
services that run year-round and have the most number of runs during peak service. Service is currently
provided through contract between YARTS and a private operator. Under the current agreement, spare
vehicles, and operational fleet in excess of the YARTS owned 10 buses is provided and maintained by the
contractor. Bus stops have been established along each of the service corridors outside of Yosemite
National Park. Bus stops within Yosemite National Park are designated and coordinated with in-park
shuttle service. Schedules for YARTS can be found online at www.YARTS.com. Between 2020 and 2021
YARTS developed a Strategic Plan to provide guidance for service modifications and improvements
focused on the sustainability of the service. The Plan provides additional background regarding the current
RFP20260630YARTS Page 6 of 53

plans for YARTS. Service in the future may deviate from the plan but are generally derived of the Plan
recommendations. Additional background information on the organization is discussed within the Plan.
1.3 PROJECT DURATION
The contract term is anticipated to commence November 1, 2027, and end October 31, 2032, and is
contingent upon available funding and successful performance. The contract may be extended by YARTS,
at its sole discretion, for up to two (2) additional one (1) year terms. The contract will be a firm fixed price
contract for the full term. (Note that although YARTS' fiscal year is from July 1st to June 30th, the
agreement's annual term is from November 1st to October 31st.)
1.4 SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES
To the extent achievable, the following schedule shall be used for the procurement process. YARTS
reserves the right to modify the dates below as necessary.
a. RFP Released July 10, 2026
b. Optional Yosemite National Park Visit (RSVP by 12pm 7/31/2026) August 5, 2026
c. Pre-Proposal Meeting (RSVP by 12pm 7/31/2026) August 6, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
d. Questions/Clarifications due via email by August 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
e. Addendum(s) and Responses posted by September 28, 2026
f. Deadline to Submit Proposal (Closing Deadline) October 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
g. Evaluation of Proposals October 29, 2026 - December 31, 2026
h. Interviews Week of January 18, 2027
i. Notice of Intent to Negotiate/Contract Negotiations February 2027 - March/April 2027
j. Notice of Intent to Award April 2027
k. YARTS JPA Board Approval April 2027
l. Caltrans Review and Approval of Contract April/May 2027
m. Notice of Award June 2027
n. Contract Execution June/July 2027
o. Notice to Proceed/Transition July/August 2027
p. Start of Service November 1, 2027
During this procurement process, YARTS will shift from summer to winter service schedules. As only
summer service is offered on the Highway 41, Highway 120, and Highway 120/395 corridors. Summer
service begins annually on the Friday before Memorial Day, for all routes except Highway 120/395 which
begins annually on July 1st, and the below dates reflect the last day of service for the year, accordingly:
* Highway 41: Fresno September 15, 202X
* Highway 120: Sonora September 30, 202X
* Highway 120/395: Mammoth Lakes September 30, 202X
Service on Highway 140: Merced is offered year-round, but service will be reduced to the winter service
schedule after September 30, 2026.
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1.5 PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING AND OPTIONAL YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK VISIT
A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on August 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PDT at 369 W. 18th Street,
Merced, CA 95340. Proposers interested in attending must RSVP via email to procurements@mcagov.org
by 12:00 p.m. PDT on July 31, 2026. Failure to attend may render a proposal non-responsive.
Proposers are strongly encouraged to attend the August 5, 2026, site visit to Yosemite National Park.
Proposers will be allowed access to visit Yosemite National Park to observe in-park bus stops. Interested
attendees/proposers must RSVP via email to procurements@mcagov.org by 12:00 p.m., PDT, on July 31,
2026. YARTS will provide compensated rides for three (3) passengers per potential proposing company.
When emailing to RSVP, note that you are interested in scheduling a ride on YARTS. Attendees/proposers
are not to speak with YARTS operators regarding matters related to this RFP but are welcome to ride
YARTS services.
1.6 QUESTIONS, CLARIFICATIONS AND/OR REVISIONS
Proposers are expected to raise any questions, noted errors, discrepancies, ambiguities, exceptions,
additions, or deficiencies they have concerning this RFP via email to procurements@mcagov.org no later
than 12:00 p.m., PDT, August 28, 2026.
If the Proposer fails to notify YARTS of any condition stated above that reasonably should have been
known to the Proposer, and if a contract is awarded to that Proposer, the Proposer shall not be entitled
to additional compensation or time by reason of the error or its correction.
Revisions to this RFP will be made only by official addendum issued by YARTS. Addenda will be posted by
September 28, 2026. Proposers are responsible for checking the website for addenda prior to submitting
their proposal. Failure to acknowledge addenda may disqualify a Proposal. As such, Proposers are advised
to review the website prior to the close of this RFP at http://www.mcagov.org/bids.aspx. Proposers are
encouraged to sign up for "Notify Me" on the website to receive emails or a text notifications, when items
are posted relevant to RFPs.
1.7 WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS
Proposals shall be irrevocable unless withdrawn prior to the closing deadline. Proposers may withdraw a
Proposal, in writing, at any time up to the closing deadline. A written withdrawal notice must be received
by YARTS at 369 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA, 95340. The notice must be signed by an authorized
representative. If a previously submitted Proposal is withdrawn before the closing deadline, the Proposer
may submit another proposal at any time up to the closing deadline.
1.8 PROTEST PROCEDURES
Notice of intent to protest must be made in writing and conform to the requirements of YARTS Protest
Procedures, included herein on pages 19-22.
1.9 FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS
Proposals which contain false or misleading statements, or which provide references which do not
support an attribute or condition claimed by the Proposer, shall be rejected.
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1.10 RIGHT TO REJECT OR ACCEPT PROPOSALS AND RIGHT TO CANCEL
YARTS reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals or any part thereof, to waive any informalities or
minor irregularities in the Proposals, and to make an award on the basis of suitability, quality of service
to be provided, and ability to perform the Requirements. YARTS also reserves the right to cancel this RFP
in part or in its entirety.
1.11 DISPUTE RESOLUTION, ATTORNEY FEES, JURISDICTION, AND VENUE
In any action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or in any way connected with the performance of the
Agreement contemplated herein, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's
fees and costs. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement contemplated herein, any disputes
concerning any question of fact or law relating to the Agreement contemplated herein, or any litigation
or arbitration arising out of the Agreement contemplated herein, shall be interpreted pursuant to
California law, subject to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of California, and venued in the County of
Merced. CONTRACTOR expressly waives federal jurisdiction.
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SECTION II - REQUIREMENTS
2.1 GENERAL
Proposers shall respond to the Requirements in accordance with Exhibit A - Scope of Work - Operations
and Maintenance available in the project Dropbox folder at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jcmqqdvmtgadxvbqh88k6/ALZiVvEbupzwqLkP0h7EzdU?rlkey
=aaz2mpqou2dcnpd7pmrntu004&st=n2ownym7&dl=0
Additional supporting documents are also available in the project Dropbox folder for informational
purposes, and the FTA Fiscal Year 2026 Certifications and Assurances are included as disclosure.
The following supporting documents are available in the Dropbox folder:
* Bus Stop List and Locations (by Corridor)
* YARTS Vehicle Fleet
* Equal Employment Opportunity Program Checklist
* Drug and Alcohol Policy Requirements Checklist
* Federal Transit Administration Fiscal Year 2026 Certifications and Assurances
Proposers are responsible for reviewing all supporting documents in preparation of their Proposal.
Additional Information
If the same CONTRACTOR is awarded both the YARTS Transit Service Operator, Bus Maintenance, and Bus
Fuel Provider Agreement under RFP20260630YARTS and the TJPAMC Operations and Maintenance
Agreement under RFP20260630TJPAMC, TJPAMC's operations and maintenance facility located at 1950
Wardrobe Avenue in the City of Merced may be utilized for both services, subject to approval by the
respective agencies.
RFP20260630YARTS Page 10 of 53